Motion Picture Herald (Jan-Feb 1945)

PRINT CEILING WILL STAY. WPB SAYS Board Tells ITOA Effect of Cut on Exhibition Is 'Inconsequential" The 285 print ceiling order set by the War Production Board two weeks ago will stand, spokesmen of the Board said Monday in Washington, following last Friday's meeting with a representative of the Independent Theatre Owners Association of New York. Observing that the cut in industry raw stock allocations for the first quarter of 1945 was so light that its effect even upon subsequent run exhibitors was "inconsequential," a WPB ofiScial indicated the board would take no action on the ITOA protest against the limitation of prints to a maximum of 285 for each feature. Allied To Submit Data Meanwhile, Abram F. Myers, general counsel of national Allied States Association, announced in Washington last Friday that the exhibitor organization would prepare facts and figures, compiled by regional units, on the effect of the WPB print order, to be submitted to the board. The study would present data concerning additional days of waiting required for features and other clearance and run problems arising from the 285 ceiling. Mr. Myers said that distributors for the past few years gradually had beeri reducing the number of prints per feature and that the WPB limitation did not pose a new problem for exhibitors, but rather pointed up older problems and threatened to drive them home more sharply. Allied, he said, intended to gather all the facts needed and would put them before the board rather than simply protest on general grounds. "We will stand on the facts we compile," he added. The problem of the subsequent run theatre was discussed last Friday in Washington by Max A. Cohen, chairman of the film committee of the ITOA of New York, who met with Stanley B. Adams, director of the Consumers' Durable Goods Division of the WPB. Mr. Cohen had sought the conference after the Office of Civilian Requirements turned down his plea for aid. Before the meeting with the WPB, the ITOA had put the matter before the OCR, which decided the raw stock cut, less than six per cent over the last quarter quotas, would have little effect on exhibition. Stressed Small Reduction Mr. Cohen was advised of the OCR decision by W. Y. Elliott, WPB vice-chairman for Civilian Requirements, who emphasized the small extent of the cut and expressed the belief it would have no adverse effect upon any theatres. At the same time, Mr. Elliott pointed out that if a larger percentage of raw stock had been allotted to the industry, it would have meant that requirements for military and indirect military uses would have had to be reduced. He called upon exhibitors to accept patriotically any inconvenience. ITOA headquarters in New York issued a statement last Friday saying Mr. Cohen had been assured by Mr. Adams that "the WPB, in setting up the raw stock allocations, would ARGENTINA NOT EXPECTED TO BAN U. S. FILMS Argentina does not expect to ban American films, it was reported from Buenos Aires last week. Recently, it was thought the Argentine Government would take such action as a result of the U. S. reduction of raw stock allocations to the country. American distributors explained to Home Secretary Rear Admiral Alberto Tesaire that delivery of raw stock was out of their control and depended entirely on the War Production Board. It was indicated that Argentina would study the U. S. raw stock crisis as it affected the Argentine industry, but officials gave the impression no measures would be taken against American film importation. see to it that the subsequent run theatre would be fully protected and be given an even break with the first run. Because of the 285 prints allotted for each production, the WPB feels that the subsequent run is just as important as the first run. The WPB feels there will be no penalty against the subsequent run so that nobody will be hurt." Thus far, meanwhile, the board still has not received any request from any independent producer to have his raw stock allocation separated from the general quota given his distributor. Although it had been anticipated that several such requests would be made following Samuel Goldwyn's contention to the WPB that distributors control raw stock, no independent has yet taken advantage of the WPB decision to permit separate allocations. No New 16mm Restrictions No restrictions beyond the limitations created by short supplies will be imposed upon the 16mm industry this quarter, it was decided Tuesday in Washington at the first meeting of the 16mm Industry Advisory Committee with WPB ofiicials. Although supplies currently are short, it was agreed that the difficulties of establishing an allocation system outweighed its advantages and suggestions to provide quotas for the 16mm producers and distributors were put aside after being thoroughly canvassed. Members of the committee who met with Mr. Adams and other WPB officials for the first time included: Emerson Yorke, William K. Hedwig, Nu-Art Films, Eric H. Haight, Samuel Goldstein, Commonwealth Pictures; Henry Glickman, Mecca Film Laboratories; William J. Gans; Varney C. Arnstiger, Encyclopedia Britannica Films ; Leslie Winik, Official Films ; George P. Ulcigan, Soundies; H. J. Spiess, Castle Films; J. Milton Salsburg, Pictorial Films ; Russell C. Roshon ; Harry A. Post, Post Pictures ; Sol Jef¥e, Movielab Laboratories, and George A. Hirliman, Walter O. Gutlohn, Inc. A surge of product sales activity in all exchanges was reported in Chicago last week, as the result of the new WPB raw stock allocations. Exhibitors, eager to obtain as much of a backlog as possible, were said to be sign ing not only for new pictures, but in sc| cases, also were buying product of last sea^ omitted from their previous booking scheduj A principal development was the prod agreement finally reached between Univeri and Allied of Illinois' buying-booking circ'j which controls about 70 theatres. W. W. We shanker, Universal sales manager in Chicaj announced that all Allied theatres are now der contract for the new season's product, was indicated that the end of the AUied-U versal deadlock would bring many of last s|' son's unplayed films to circuit members. Ur versal and Allied had been at odds for m* than a year, due to some required percent^ picture deals. Buchanan Is fM| Advertising Head Barry Buchanan, for the past two years speij coordinator for the U. S. Treasury Departm with the film industry, has been appointed direc of advertising and publicity for United Art' Gradwell Sears, vice-president in charge of tribution, announced Monday. In his Treasury position, Mr. Buchanan dire^ all participation of the industry nationally in ^ War Bond drives, concentrating for the past jjj from Hollywood on personal participation of s' in the various campaigns. ' A graduate of Carnegie Institute of Teclmol^' Mr. Buchanan was associated with the Shubl for a number of years, served as one of the di? tors of public relations for the New York Wott Fair in 1939-40, and was with the Ringling Bm ers Circuses for several years. After Pearl E bor, the Treasury Department named him field rector of national exploitation in the promotioi if War Bonds. Mr. Buchanan recently returned to Califdja to conclude his Government affairs. He was o assume his new duties with UA about Febrr'y 15. Mr. Sears said no other changes were c,!templated in the present staff of the adverti|| and publicity departments at UA. DeVry Laboratory Equipment Is Sold to Filmack, Inc. The DeVry Corporation announced in Chid last weekend that sale of the company's laborav equipment to Filmack, Inc., producer of traif had been concluded. In announcing the transact William C. DeVry, president, said that the sal(^ the equipment notwithstanding, the organiza'' would expand distribution of educational and C mercial films through the department headed: Gordon Hale. Mr. DeVry said that in the fuji the company would devote all of its time to. manufacture of equipment. |, Chicago Theatres Closed For Safety Violations Using its new amendment to the Chicago bi f ing code which permits the Police, Fire, Heji and Building Departments to close any buili fg where they find conditions which might met X Hfe or health, the Fire Department late last v 'k closed the Douglas Park theatre, neighbor? lid Yiddish legitimate house. The theatre build g, it was charged, had no sprinkler system, no : v proof curtain and no stage vent. Municipal Jr. ie Erwin J. Hasten imposed fines of $100 and c ts on Abe Kalesh, owner, and Oscar Ostroff, n i ager. Wind and Snow Rip Marquee OfF Hartford Theatre During the recent blizzard which struck I England, the marquee of Dow's theatre, Hartf was ripped off the building. Al Dow and Ferrone, who lease the theatre, must accept blame for the accident, according to Will J. Ennis, building inspector, who reports fai to comply with a ruling that snow must be si eled off marquees. No one was hurt. 16 MOTION PICTURE HERALD, FEBRUARY 17. iW